“This is an incredible honor!” notes Vollstedt. “The Accelerator and the startups who have participated in the program are thriving because of the partnerships we’ve made within the ag industry and the resources available in Central Iowa.” She adds, “Our organization and this award would not be possible without the support from our founders, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Cultivation Corridor, and our investor companies and mentor network that support our mission to advance agtech startup companies and their innovations that will propel the ag industry.”

Mid-America EDC’s Economic Development Awards are open to all economic development organizations in the Mid-America EDC region, which includes Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Kansas and Wyoming. The awards are designed to recognize outstanding efforts in development of marketing materials, marketing events and economic development efforts in the Mid-America region states. The Entrepreneurial Award is given to organizations that cultivate unique approaches to enhancing the entrepreneurial culture in the region.

The Accelerator has support from some of the largest and well-known agtech and ag-related companies in Iowa, including Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company, Grinnell Mutual, Kent Corporation, John Deere, Peoples Company and Sukup Manufacturing Co., in addition to more than 120 volunteer mentors. The Accelerator is an initiative of the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Cultivation Corridor and is built upon the success of the Global Insurance Accelerator — the 2017 recipient of the Mid-America EDC Entrepreneurial Award. With their foundations and network rooted in Central Iowa, both organizations continue to position Central Iowa as the premier region for entrepreneurial resources and startup growth and success.

About the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator

The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is a mentor-led accelerator focused on agtech innovations. Led by innovators and leaders in several areas of agriculture, The Accelerator seeks startups ready to change the status quo. For more information about the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator, visit AgIowa.com.